Seedbank Research in a Restored Wetland: Past, Present, Future

January 18, 2024
7:00 – 8:00 PM (Via Zoom)

Kaylie DeLuca
Chico State Department of Biological Sciences

View the Presentation Here

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Fen wet-meadows are biologically diverse ecosystems that are mostly dependent on groundwater to maintain their high level of productivity. They provide multiple ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, water filtration/storage and flood & erosion control. In addition, these wetlands are an important habitat to many plant and animal species. Unfortunately, over the years anthropogenic and/or climatic disturbances have infringed upon meadows’ ability to support their regional flora and fauna. Drakesbad Meadow, a montane fen wet-meadow complex, located in the Southern Cascades Range of California, within Lassen Volcanic National Park (LVNP), experienced great channeling/ditching and grazing during the late 1800s through the early 1900s.  Luckily, during the early 2000’s a restoration effort began in Drakesbad, and since then much data has been collected in the meadow. To compare the meadow’s current seedbank to past vegetation surveys, soil was collected from 24 focused plots during the summer of 2022. Through soil seedbank studies ‘lost’ vegetation may be rediscovered, past composition highlighted, resiliency potential established and future trajectory imagined. With long-term monitoring of restoration sites being rare, it is my pleasure to contribute current data and findings to LVNP’s resource managers, and to share with inquisitive naturalists such as yourselves.

Kaylie DeLuca is in the final stages of completing her Masters degree with Dr. Kristen Kaczynski at CSU Chico.  She is also the winner of the 2022 Jokerst Student Award sponsored by the Friends of the Ahart Herbarium.  Most recently, Kaylie has been conducting vegetation surveys for the US Forest Service on the Plumas National Forest.